Automatic starting device for internal combustion engines



March 21, 1939. L. w ms 2,151,460

AUTOMATIC STARTING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Sept. 24, 1928 2 .73 //v TAKE MAN/FOLD Patented Mar. 21, 193% PATENT; OFFlCE AUTOMATIC STARTING- DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Lloyd M. Williams, Oak Park, 111., assignor, by

mesne as ignments, to Lloyds Mfg.

00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application September 24, 1928, Serial No. 308,018

44 Claim.

This invention relates to an electrically energized system controlling the starting motor of an' internal combustion engine, for instance, an engine used in an automobile, and particularly a system so arranged that upon the mere act of voluntarily closing a switch (for instance, the

ignition switch) and releasing into the system electrical energy from an independent source, the starting motor will be energized and commence to crank the engine, and this condition will continue until the engine is running under its own power, whereupon the supply of current to the starting motor from the independent source will be automatically interrupted, but the l8 starter circuit will be in such condition that should the engine stall, the starting motor will automatically be re-energized and caused to repeat the starting operation.

Systems as heretofore designed for accom- 20 plishing the foregoing purpose have generally involved the principle of having the starter circuit open and the starting motor deenergized by some single function of the apparatus, for.instance, the spinning of the starting motor-after 25 being kicked out by attainment of self -propulsion in the engine or by the action of current from the generator which the engine drives, or even by a vacuum switch responsive to or reflecting the condition of suction in the fuel supply mani- 30 fold of the engine. But all of these attempts are believed to have failed because of unreliability of the circuit opening influence depended upon in each instance, the spinning of the kicked out starting motor alone requiring an impracticable 35 delicacy of adjustment in the relay'in the circuit of the starting motor; the engine driven generator being too inconstant in its output at the time of starting, for instance, under the slow turn-over of a cold engine in the wintertime as 40 compared with quick turn-over in hot weather; and the'manifold suction control being wholly unreliable as a reflection of the condition of the engine.

The primary object of "the present invention' 45 is to provide a more reliable automatic starting motor circuit control for systems of the kind described, and particularly a system in which the opening of the starting motor circuit is responsive not to a single function of the apparatus, but 50 to two functions thereof, one of which reflects the condition of the starting motor having been kicked out of drive by the self functioning of the engine, for instance, the spinning which momentarily occurs in the starting motor'upon losing "its mesh with the fly-wheel, and the other of which reflects the condition of the turning over of the engine, for instance, the suction which it creates in the fuel feed manifold; the first function, however, being dominant over the second function, with the result that while the second 5 function may have been set up as a starting motor circuit-opening influence as soon as the motor begins to turn over, it will not accomplish its purpose of opening the starting motor circuit until the starting motor, by the attainment of 10 self propulsion in the engine, has been thrown out and signifies that starting has been successfully accomplished; at which time the influence of the starting motor over its own circuit will fall to such a point that the second function or manifold suction will be free to enter into play. To attain this object, there is provided in the starting motor circuit not only a circuit closer that is responsive to the voluntarily closed ignition or starting circuit, but a second' circuit closer which is influenced in the direction of closing the starting motor circuit by the dominant primary control furnished by the starting motor, and in the direction of opening said circuit by the secondary influence derived from the manifold suction; the preferred embodiment of this part of the invention involving two electro-magnets operating in opposite directions upon the starting motor circuit breaker, namely, a circuit closing magnet and a circuit opening magnet, the winding of the circuit closing magnet being in circuit with the starting motor, the winding of the circuit opening magnet being in circuit with a switch that is actuated by the manifold suction, and both magnets being energized by current from the common source so that the circuit opening magnet becomes effective not only by reason 'of the drop in current demand of the starting motor, but by reason of increased current which reaches it from the source when the demand of 40 the starting motor fails. The starting motor circuit breaker is biased through means of a spring, or otherwise, to normally assume circuit closing position so that as long as the voluntarily controlled orignition circuit is left closed, on failure of the secondary controlling function (the manifold suction) signifying the interruption of the running of the motor, the cycle of starting functions automatically repeats itself. In other words, the engine is self starting as often as it stalls, provided the ignition switch is left closed. Other objects of the invention relate to the provision of suitable instrumentalities for use in successfully realizing the main object of the u invention, and will appear from the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of illustration- Figures l,2, and 3 are, respectively, a plan view, a side elevation, and an end elevation of the group of electro-magnetically controlled interlocking switches employed in the system.

Figure 4 is a schematic view showing the operating circuits of the system along with the coordinated ignition circuit for the internal combustion engine, an auxiliary voluntarily actuated switch which may be used forretiring the starting device when it is desired to test the ignition circuit, and the suction switch of the second relay magnet, which is associated with the intake manifold of the engine.

Referring to Figure 4, I indicates the starting motor of the power plant of an automobile or other internal combustion engine; 2 an automatic starting motor switch in circuit with said motor; 3 a starting motor switch magnet controlling the switch 2;- 4 the conventional ignition switch which in the present invention is employed for also releasing electrical energy to the starting motor switch; 5 a make and break or relay 1 controlling the circuit of the motor switch magnet 3; 6 an armature controlling the make and break 5 which is biased through means of a spring 6a toward its circuit closing position; I the motor energizing actuator in the form of a first relay magnet which is in the circuit of starting motor I and switch 2 and is related to the armature 6 in a manner to cooperate with the spring 6a in keeping the make and break 5 closed; 8 the motor arresting actuator in the form of a second relay magnet related to the armature Ii in a manner to adapt said magnet to open the make and break 5 in opposition to the-spring So when there is a sufficient drop in the attractive force of the first relay magnet I and consequent rise in the force of magnet 8 to permit thisto be done, and which forces in their relation one to the other while primarily a function of the speed of the starting motor may also be influenced through means of the stop screw 6b which determines the air gap or spacing of the ends of the armature Ii'from the respective magnets; and 9 represents the suction switch which is held normally open by means of the balancing springs ID on opposite sides of its controlling piston I I and which keeps the second relay magnet 8 deenergized so long as the engine is not running, but which suction switch closes the third or parallel battery circuit through magnet 8 as soon as the starting motor commences to turn the motor over and remains closed as long as the motor is running. To accomplish the last-named function, the cylinder I2 of said switch is tapped into the fuel mixture manifold I3 of the engine which is to be controlled. I4 represents the terminal of the motor arresting actuator magnet circuit which is grounded by the depression of switch 9 through the piston II, cylinder I2, and ground connection I5. I6 represents an independent source of electrical energy, usually existing in the form of a storage battery as the supply of current for ignition in the engine and for driving the starting motor. In addition to the elements just enumerated. the system will preferably include a conventional ignition coil schematically indicated at H, in position to be controlled by the same switch 4 which controls the starting device, also the usual distributor I3 and an independent ground or the ignition switch 4 connection I! for the ignition circuit; also an independent manually controlled switch 20 interposed between the starting switch magnet 3 and a suitable ground connection 3Ia so that the starting motor can be cut out when desired, for instance, when it is desired to test the ignition device.

An important feature of the preferred embodiment of the invention resides in the separate and independent nature of the battery circuits employed and particularly the circuit that connectsthe battery with starting motor I, the circuit that connects the battery with motor switch magnet 3, and a circuit which connects the battery with the relay opening magnet 8 and engine actuated switch 9, assuggested by the separate and independent ground connections and one or more controlling switches in each of them, as will appear from the following. The circuit which includes the starting motor, switch 2, and first or motor energizing relay magnet I, starting from the independent electrical source I6, is represented by wire 2I, switch 2, wire 23, first relay magnet I, wire 25, starting motor I, and independent ground connection 26, from which it will appear that whenever motor switch magnet 3 is energized and motor starting switch 2 is closed, first relay magnet I will be energized and will (initially) hold the armature 6 in position to close the make and break 5. The circuit of the starting switch magnet 3 is traced from the source I6, through wire 2|, wire 21, ammeter 28 (incidentally),'ignition switch 4, wire 29, starting switch magnet 3, wire 30, make and break 5, wire 3|, starting motor cut out switch 20, and ground 3Ia, from which it will be seen that when the ignition switch 4, which is a manually controlled switch, is closed, magnet 3 will be energized and starting switch 2 will be closed; hence, closing energizes the starting motor I to cause it to operate the engine, and it will continue to operate the engine until the circuit of magnet 3 is opened at the make and break 5 of the relay. The circuit of the second or motor arresting relay magnet 8, the function of which is to swing the armature 6 to open the make and break 5, is traced from existing current source I6, through wire 2|, wire 33, second relay magnet 8, wire 34, suction switch 8, terminal I4, piston II, cylinder I2, and ground'connection I5. From this it will be seen that the circuit of sec-- and relay magnet 8 is wholly independent of the circuit of starting motor I as well as the ignition circuit I'I, I8, I9, and said second relay magnet will not be influenced in any way by either of these other circuits. Hence, the starting switch 2 will remain closed until starting'motor I has succeeding in bringing the engine to self-propulsion, and the starting motor has been kicked out of gear anddeft free to spin; and such spinning causes such a drop in current demand passing through first relay magnet or circuit closing magnet, as to leave the approximately full battery current to raise the strength of the second or motor arresting relay magnet 8, and to leave magnet 8 (now that its circuit is being held closed by suction switch 9) free to actuate armature 6 and open the starting motor switch actuating circuit at 5. And in so arresting the starting motor, the system remains in the last stated condition so long as manual ignition switch 4 remains closed and suction sufficient to hold down the switch 9 continues in the manifold I3. Should the'ignition switch 4 be opened and the ignition circuit I' I, I8, I9 interrupted so that the engine stops, vacuum in manifold I3 is relieved, switch 8 is lifted, magnet 8 is deenergized, make and break switch 5 returns to closed position under influence of spring'ia, and the system is ready to be again called into play by manually closing the ignition-switch 4. so long, however, as manual ignition switch 4 is left closed, the system remains automatically re-starti'ng, because should the engine stop as a result of stalling while ignition switch 4 remains closed, relief of the vacuum in manifold I3 and consequent raising of the switch 9 deenergizes second relay magnet 8, permitting make and break 5 to close, the starting motor switch magnet 3 willbe re-energized to close .the starting switch 2, and thus the system automatically re-starts the motor without any voluntary act on the part of the driver, and this occurs with such promptness as to'relieve the hazard of the stalling engine even though the occurrence be upon a railroad crossing or other place of danger.

An important feature of the preferred embodiment of the invention resides in the nature of the windings of the two magnets I and 8. The circuit of the starting-motor I which passes around magnet I would naturally be of a dimension which carries very high amperage to the starting motorfrom the current source I8 and lends considerable strength to the magnet I at the instant of starting, thus supplementing the spring to on armature 6 and even weakening, by its excessive current consumption, the force of theopening magnet 8, and thereby avoiding any vibration or fluctuation at the make and break 5, upon which starting switch magnet 3 is dependent; but the instant the starting motor I spins under drive of the motor or by being thrown out and left unrestrained under its own driving current, there will be such a material drop in amperage reaching the starting motor through the relativelyshort and coarse winding on magnet I as to largely relieve the attractive force of said magnet and leave the armature of the relay ready to respond very promptly to the second relay magnet 8. Second relay magnet B is wound for high voltage; that is to say, it has a relatively long, fine winding. Besides, it is deprived of current largely when starting motor I is first thrown in and supplied with greater current when the starting motor spins, so-that it develops ample strength (switch 9 being closed) to throw the armature 6 in position to open the make and break 5. The different characters of winding employed on the magnets I and 8 are suggested in Figure 2, where winding I is indicated as two broad convolutions or bands of conductor 23 passing from magnet I to the armature 2a of the switch 2, where said conductor is in electrical contact with said armature; whereas the winding on magnet 8 is conventionally represented as a built up helix of wire 33. I

In Figures 1 to 3 the elements which are mechanically developed are indexed by the same reference characters as in Figure 4, where they are merely schematically developed, and the binding posts for the several circuit wires in Figures 2 and 3 are indicated by the reference numbers which the wires bear in Figure 4 plus the exponent a."

washer 8e under the terminal member I4, so that whenever the bridging member 8b is free from the lifting influence of piston I I, the spring 9d will seat it upon and establish'electric contact with the terminal I 4; said switch comprising in addition to its piston II, a stem Ila with a shouldered upper 'end I Ib which extends through the bridging contact 8b and through means of which the piston may pick up and lift the contact 8b from the terminal l4 whenever piston II is free from suction in manifold I3 and surrendered to the influence of balancing springs III; the delay-action element of switch 9 resulting from the fact that the piston II is drawn downwardly a distance materially greater than that which is suflicient to permit the bridging contact 92) to reach the terminal I4, so that the piston has to execute a substantial portion of its upward move- 'ment, upon relief of the suction manifold I8, before it begins to unseat the contact 9b; more-- over, a restricted vent I2a for escape of air from the space above the piston II during upward movement of the piston, renders the upward movement of the piston rather sluggish. Hence, if there should be a back-fire or sudden temporary rise in pressure in the manifold I3 other than that-which is incident to a definite stopping of the engine, the switch 9 would not respond suiilciently to break the circuit of the second relay magnet 8, and therefore would not momentarily energize the starting motor at an undesirabletime; but the said switch 9 will be held closed by the spring 9b, under such circumstances, for a brief space of time sufiicient for suction in the manifold I3 to be recovered. In other words, switch 9 has embodied in its construction and operation a delay-action element that prevents it from being too sensitive to temporary fluctuations of pressure in the manifold I3.

In assembling the parts of the switch 9, a fiber or other non-conductin housing Ma conforming to the terminal piece It may be threaded to the cylinder I2, with an insulating disk Hb-between the parts I4 and I2.

- .I claim:

1. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a starting motor constructed to drive said engine, a starting motor circuit including said motor, a switch controlling said starting motor circuit, a switch-closing actuator and a switch-opening actuator both acting upon said switch, one in opposition to the other, the switchclosing actuator being under control of the starting motor, and means for energizing the switchopening actuator constructed for connection with and adapted to respond to a running function of the engine; the switch-closing actuator being constructed to dominate the switch-opening actuator in the initial operation of the starting motor but yielding to the switch-opening actuator after the engine has been set in motion.

2. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a starting motor constructed to drive said engine, a starting motor circuit including said motor, a switch controlling said starting motor circuit, a switch-closing magnet and a switch-opening magnet both acting upon said switch, one in opposition to the other, the switchclosing magnet being responsive to current flowing through the starting motor, a circuit including said switch-opening magnet, and a switch controlling the last-named circuit having means for connecting it with and adapted to respond to a running function of the engine; said switchclosing magnet being constructed to dominate switch-opening magnet constructed to respond to a function of the engine which is set up by the operation of the starting motor: said switch-closing magnet being constructed to dominate the switch-opening magnet in the initial operation of the starting motor but yielding to the switchopening magnet alter the enginehas been set in motion.

4. In an automatic starting device for internal combustion engines, a starting motor having means through which to connect it with an engine to be started, a source of electrical energy, a motor circuit including said source and said motor, a motor switch controlling said motor circuit, a motor switch magnet controlling said motor switch, a motor switch magnet circuit connecting said motor switch magnet with said source, a vol untary circuit closer controlling the last named circuit, and means controlling said motor switch magnet circuit comprising a normally closed make and break included therein, a first relay magnet included in the motor circuit and adapted to govern the opening movement of said make and break, a second relay magnet adapted to open said make and break, and a second relay magnet circuit comycting said second relay magnet with said source, also having a make and break.

5. An automatic starting. device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 4, in which the first relay magnet is wound to cause it to act upon the make and break under the influence of high amperage in the motor circuit, and

A release said make and break when the amperage in the motor circuit is lowered by the running of the motor, andthe second relay magnet is wound to render it responsive to high voltage in its'circult. o

6. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 4, in which the second relay magnet circuit includes a circuit closer having means adapting it to respond to a running condition of an engine to be started.

7. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 4, in which the second relay magnet circuit includes a circuit closer, a suction piston controlling said circuit closer, and means whereby said suction piston may be exposed to the suction of an engine to be started.

8. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 4, in

" which the second relay magnet circuit includes a normally open circuit closer, means adapted to respond to a function of an engine for closing the same, and a delay-action device retarding the opening of said circuit closer when said circuit closer is not influenced by the engine.

9. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 4,- in which the second relay magnet circuit includes a normally open circuit closer, means whereby said motor, a switch controlling said starting motor circuit closer may be made responsive to a running function of an engine. a piston moving with said circuit closer in the direction of opening. and a cylinder enclosing said piston and partially con-v fining a fluid medium in relation to resist and slow down the movement oi! the circuit closer to open position.

10. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 4, in which the second relay magnet circuit includes a normally open circuit closer adapted to respond to a running function 01 an engine, and means whereby upon interruption of the running func- 'tion of the engine, which influences said circuit combustion engines as described in claim 4, in

which the motor circuit and the motor switch 7 magnet circuit have independent ground or return connections.

13. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 4, in which the motor circuit and the second relay magnet circuit have independent ground or return connections.

14. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 4, in-

which the motor switch magnet circuit and the second relay magnet circuit have independent ground or return connections. Y 15. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 4, in which there is an engine ignition circuit branching from the motor switch magnet circuit and controlled by the voluntary circuit closer therein, but having its own independent ground or return connection and free from. other influences of said motor switch magnet circuit. a

16. An automatic starting device as described in claim 4, in which said first and second relay magnets have a common armature attracted alternately by the respective magnets, and said armature has an adjustable stop limiting its approach to one of said magnets and thereby regulating the initial attraction of the other magnet for said armature. '17. In an automatic starter for internal combustion engines, a source of electrical energy, an electric starting motor adapted for cranking connection with an engine, a motor circuit supplying current from said source to said motor, a relay adapted to make and break said motor circuit and thereby energize and arrest said motor, said relay including a first actuator normally moving it to position to energize the motor, and an electromagnetic second actuator which, when sufiiciently energized, moves the relay to position to arrest the motor, and a circuit delivering from said source, to said second actuator, current which does not pass through the motor; said second actuator being constructed to exert upon said relay,

the engine adapted to. continue the electro-magnetic second actuator in energized condition and thereby hold open the motor circuit, so long as the engine continues to run.

18. An automatic starter as described in claim 1'7 in which the last named means includes a switch located in the circuit through which the second actuator is energized.

19. In an automatic starting mechanism for internal combustion engines, a starting circuit including an electromagnetic starting switch, a control circuit for said starting switch including circuit making and breaking means, means responsive to the cranking load for maintaining the making and breaking means closed during cranking, and fluid pressure operated means responsive to rotation of the engine for opening said making and breaking means when the engine starts.

20. In an automatic starter for internal combustion engines, a source of electrical energy, an electric starting motor adapted for cranking connection with the engine, a starting motorjcircuit supplying current. from said source to said starting motor, a make-and-break for, closing and opening said starting motor circuit, and a relay adapted to close and open saidmake-and-break and thereby energize and arrest said motor; said relay including a first actuator normally moving it to the position to close the starting motor circuit, and a second actuator energized subsequently'to the closing of the make-and-break and independently of current passing therethrough, and adapted to impose upon said relay a force in the direction to open the starting motor circuit when the engine is operating under its own power;

- the force imposed upon the relay by said second the starting motor-switch closed during cranking,

and switch opening means responsive to rotation of the engine for opening said motor-switch independently of current from any second source of electrical energy and independently of current passing through said motor-switch, when the engine starts.

22. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 1, in which the means for energizing the switch-opening actuator acts to set up a minor force and a major force. the minor force being inferior to the force set up in the switch-closing actuator during the initial operation of the starting motor in cranking the engine, the major force operating to open said switch and arrest the starting motor after the engine has obtained self-operation.

23. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 1, in which the switch-closing means includes an electro-magnetic coil, said coil being connected in series with the starting motor.

24. In an automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 1, in which is included means for maintaining said switch in a normally closed position, a second normally opened switch to also control the said motor circuit, an electro-magnetic coil connected circuit including said coil and said first mentioned switch anda normally open manually operated switch.

25. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 1, in which the means for energizing the switch-opening actuator includes a compartment having a yielding member, engine actuated means for setting up a force on the inside of said compartment, said yielding member being adapted to respond to the force set upon the inside of said compartment and acting to energize the switch-opening actuator to open the said switch.

26. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 1, including adjustable means to regulate the forces set up in the switch-closing actuator in relation to the forces set up in the switch-opening actuator.

27. In an automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 1, in

which is included means for maintaining said switch in a normally closed position, a second normally opened switch to also control the said motor circuit, and inwhich the means for energizing the switch opening actuator includes a compartment, said compartment having a yielding member, said yielding member beinglocated between the interior of said compartment and said first mentionedswitch, engine responsive means for setting up a force on the inside of said compartment, said yielding member being adapted to respond to the force set up on the inside of said compartment and operating to energize the switch opening actuator to open said first mentioned switch.

28. In an automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 1, in which is included means for maintaining said switch in a normally closed position, a second normally open switch to also control the said motor circuit, and delay action means acting to delay the closing of said first mentioned switch when the engine ceases to operate under its own power.

29. In an automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 1, in which is included means for maintaining said switch in a normally closed position, a second normally open switch to also control the said motor circuit, delay action means including a compartment which partly confines a fluid medium acting to delay the closing of said first mentioned switch when the engine ceases to operate under its own power.

30. In an automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 1, in which is included means for maintaining said switch in a normally closed position, a second normally open switch to also control the said motor circuit, and delay action means including a movable member, said delay action means acting, upon interruption of the self operation oi. the engine, to delay the closing of said first mentioned switch during the initial portion of the movement of said movable member.

31. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a starting motor constructed to drive said engine, a starting motor circuit including said starting motor, a motor-switch controlling said starting motor circuit, a relay for opening and closing said motor-switch including two relay switches, one of which is normally closed and the other normally open, means responsive to the starting motor for operating one of said switches,

- to operate said last mentioned switch, a control and means responsive to the engine tor operating the other switch. v

32. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 31, in which the means responsive to the engine includes a compartment having a yielding member, and means for setting up a force on the inside of said compartment, connected with and adapted to respond to a running function 01 the engine. said yielding member being operatively connected with the relay switch which is responsive to the engine.

33. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a starting motor for crankingsaid engine, a driving connection for the starting motor including a driving gear adapted to mesh with and demesh from a driven gear connected to the fly wheel of the engine, operating means and stopping means to control the movement oi said driving connection, the force oi! one means opposing the force of the other, the operating means being under control oi the starting motor.

means for energizing the stopping means constructed for connection with and adapted to respond to a running function of the engine, the operating means being constructed to set up a force to dominate the stopping means during the initial operation of the starting motor in cranking the engine but yielding to the stopping means after the engine is seltv-operating.

34. An automatic starting device for internal "combustion engines as described in claim 33, in

which the operating means includes a coil connected in series with the starting motor.

35. An automatic starting device tor internal -combustion engines as described in claim 33, in

which the stopping means has a coil connected in shunt with the starting motor, an electrical circuit for said coil, and a circuit closer for said electrical circuit, said circuit closer being under control or the engine.

36. In an automatic starting device for internal combustion engines, a source of electrical energy. an electric starting motor adapted for cranking connection with an engine, a starting motor circuit supplying current from said source to said motor, a starting motor-switch for said circuit,

- an electro-magnetic coil to operate said starting motor switch, a circuit connecting said coil to a. source of electrical energy, a relay make-andbreak for the last named circuit, a relay armature to operate said relay make-and-break and thereby energize and arrest the starting motor, a first actuator acting to hold said relay armature in a, position to energize the motor, an electromagnetic second actuator which, when sunlciently energized, moves said relay armature to position to arrest the motor, and a circuit delivering from said source to said second actuator current which does not pass through the motor; said second actuator being constructed to exert upon said relay armature, during large current consumption by the motor, a minor force that leaves the first actuator dominant and, under reduced current consumption by the motor, a major force that overcomes said first actuator and arrests the motor, and including delay-action means acting to retard the closing of said relay makeand-break when the engine ceases to operate under its own power.

3'1. An automatic starting device ior internal combustion engines as described in claim 38, in which the delay action means includes a compartment which partly confines a fluid medium acting to delay the closing of said relay make and break when the engine ceases to operate under its own power.

38. An automatic starting device ior internal combustion engines as described in claim 36, in which the delay action means includes a movable member, said movable member'operating, upon interruption of the self-operation of the engine, to delay the closing of said relay make-andbreak during the initial portion of the movement of said movable member to a position to operate to close said relay make-and -break.

39. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 36, in which the delay action means includes a spring operated movable member operating, upon interruption of the self-operation oi the engine, to delay the closing of said relay make-and-break during the initial portion of the movement of said movable member to a position to close the said relay make-and-break.

40. An automatic starting device (or internal combustion engines as described in claim 36, in which the first actuator includes a coil connected in series with the starting motor.

41. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 36, in which the first actuator is electro-magnetic in character and is energized by current drawn by the motor from the same source that energizes the second actuator independently of the motor, the magnet of the first actuator being wound for high amperage, and the magnet of the second actuator being wound for high voltage.

42. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 36, including means for maintaining the motor switch open and the starting motor arrested as long as the engine is self operating.

43. An automatic starting device for internal combustion engines as described in claim 1, in which the switch closing actuator and the switch opening actuator both act upon said switch by pulling on a. movable member, said movable member being operatively connected with one contact of said switch, and in which the switch opening actuator is constructed so that, when energized, it operates to exert a minor pull on said movable member during the initial operation of the starting motor in cranking the engine and, when the engine becomes self operating, it then operates to exert a major pull on said movable member; said major pull operating to pull said movable member to a position to open said switch and 

